Dog Days by Hush Puppies

This summer Hush Puppies (yes, the shoe brand) is organising free parties on the rooftops of London.

Last Saturday the weather looked ominous, but that didn’t stop the throngs from carrying their filled off-license bags up the stairs to the rooftop of the Rockwell House in Shoreditch.

Safely underneath the covered area (this is British summer, after all), DJs Bondax, Oli D.A.B & Robin and Mr Solid Gold set up to provide the soundtrack to the day. There was plenty of dance space on the roof, which was decked out with rustic seats made from crates, plus a solid wooden ping-pong table complete with bats and ball.

The wonderful MeatLiquor provided the free food, serving up scrumptious sliders (tiny burgers) and spicy hush puppies (delicious little corn fritters). There were rumours of mac’n’cheese, but sadly I must have been too busy conversing or dancing when that was brought around on trays.

As for drinks, it was a BYO affair and since no glass was allowed, cans of lager were cracked open at leisure and bottles of pre-mixed booze were divided among the paper cups provided. Ice cubes to cool drinks and plastic tubs to cool the cans (in case of sweltering heat – well, we can dream) were neatly provided.

Alas, this particular Saturday the sun didn’t come out but even a splatter of rain could not deter us from having fun and enjoying the joyous festival-like vibe.

The next Dog Days are organised on the July 20 and September 14.  Here is your to-do list:

• Sign up for free tickets on their Facebook page.
• Bring your own booze – no glass allowed, so cans and plastics please!
• Don’t arrive ravenously hungry – there is plenty of food but it’s brought out in batches, on trays by people who are promptly descended upon by hungry vultures. Don’t get hurt in the scrum.
• Ping-pong fanatics might want to bring a spare ball. One ball for six hours of play meant that a lot of time was wasted uncovering it from underneath seats or corners of the rooftop.
• Bring an umbrella – the seats were not underneath the shelter, but you could bring your own cover and wait out the shower with a drink.
• Wear flat shoes – better for those stairs to the roof, not to mention back down again after a drink or two. And also better for dancing. Of course.